clear out

verb

cleared out; clearing out; clears out
Synonyms of clear outnext

transitive verb

: to drive out or away usually forcibly

Examples of clear out in a Sentence

police used tear gas to clear out the demonstrators everyone cleared out as soon as the fire alarm began sounding
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Workers had cleared out and sanitized the eastern freezer, which was largely destroyed in the fire, earlier in the cleanup process. Los Angeles Times, 30 Aug. 2026 Smoke from wildfires may lower air quality during the day, clearing out overnight as the storm system moves in. Hali Smith, Idaho Statesman, 27 Aug. 2026 By the time players clear out of the locker room after the Broncos’ preseason finale Friday night at home against Minnesota, the cut-off for teams to reduce their rosters from 90 down to 53 will only be about 40 hours away. Parker Gabriel, Denver Post, 27 Aug. 2026 The home’s whole-house speaker system sends music clear out to the tennis court, front yard and pool. David Caraccio, Sacbee.com, 22 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for clear out

Word History

First Known Use

1613, in the meaning defined at transitive sense

Time Traveler
The first known use of clear out was in 1613

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Clear out.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/clear%20out. Accessed 1 Sep. 2026.

Kids Definition

clear out

verb
1
: to go or run away often suddenly or secretly
a horse broke loose and cleared out
cleared out without paying me back
2
: to drive out or away usually with force
police cleared out the demonstrators
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